Bookpleasures.com once again welcomes as our guest Michael J. Merry. Michael has published nine novels. Michael is here today to talk about his most recent novel, Six Honest Serving Men.

Norm: Good day Michael and thanks once again for participating in our interview. 

What distinguishes Six Honest Serving Men from other political-thrillers? As a follow up, if someone can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?

Michael: In Latin America corruption exists, much the same as anywhere else in the world. When legislators find they can control the law they create many 'bolt-holes' that allow them to continue with their miss-deeds. This book shows, step by step, how 'six honest men' use drastic methods to put a stop to the problem. If you are unaware of how a corrupt Government behaves, you must read this book.

Norm: Could you explain to our readers how Rudyard Kipling's poem Six Honest Serving Men played a role in writing your novel?

Michael: Kipling's poem relates to how the Government of Queen Victoria used her far-flung British Forces to provide the intelligence required to keep ahead of everyone else in that topsy-turvy world.

Norm: Are the characters in the novel based on anyone you know or have known? Where did they come from?

Michael: One always hesitates to answer a question like this. I have known composites of many of the characters.

Norm: Did you see your story from an outline or did it come from a completed manuscript?

Michael: I was on a vacation in January and was reading a newspaper one morning. It told of prosecutors in the present administration being frustrated at not being able to move against a former President for misdeeds. I started writing from scratch right there at the breakfast table!

Norm: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

Michael: I wanted people to understand that corruption steals from everyone and detracts from the standard of living. I am not saying this is the way to stop it, but I am saying, it can be done.  

Norm: What are some of the references that you used while researching this book?

Michael:  Maps of my country today and twenty years ago. Relations with the US armed forces. Naval vessels. Mercenaries and their weapons. Cranes, float planes and airport operations.

Norm: How much revising did you do with Six Honest Serving Men and how does an author know when to stop revising?

Michael: I revised my book perhaps thirty times. You never stop revising. It's the most unrewarding part of writing.

Norm: What was the most difficult part of writing this book?

Michael: Making sure the characters remained constant.

Norm: What was the time-line between the time you decided to write your book and publication? What were the major events along the way?

Michael: Five months. The major events were writing the first chapter, then revealing the plan to overthrow the government. Finally, concluding the story with a positive end. 

Norm: What are the elements that make a good political-thriller?

Michael: Plot and characters. It must be kept moving constantly and not allowed to bog down. Always introduce new ways to execute the plotters plans.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Six Honest Serving Men.

 Michael: My Amazon Site

Any entry of my name on the Internet will bring you to one of my books and you can trace back using is.  

Norm: What is next for Michael J. Merry?

Michael: I have started a new book of short stories. The first one involves the little-known business of the US dollar being used in Latin America and how that is maintained.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Six Honest Serving Men